Method for treating a bone

Abstract

A method provides a void creation device including an expandable structure adapted to undergo expansion in the cancellous bone volume of a bone selected for treatment. The expandable structure has at least one dimension so that the expandable structure will assume a predetermined shape and size when substantially expanded that compacts only a first volume of the cancellous bone volume to form a void, leaving a second volume of the cancellous bone volume substantially uncompacted by the expandable structure. A filling material is placed within the void through the percutaneous access path.

1. A method comprising
 selecting a bone for treatment having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume, 
 providing a void creation device adapted to be manipulated in the cancellous bone volume to form a void within cancellous bone, the void creation device comprising an expandable structure and a tube enclosed by and passing within the expandable structure, 
 introducing the void creation device into the cancellous bone volume through a percutaneous access path along an access axis, 
 deflecting the tube in the cancellous bone volume relative to the access axis after the void creation device has been introduced into the cancellous bone volume, 
 expanding the expandable structure in the cancellous bone volume while the tube is deflected to create a void offset from the access axis and having a volume less than the cancellous bone volume, and 
 placing a filling material within the void through the percutaneous access path, 
 wherein the tube includes an interior lumen, further including providing a stylet having a preformed bend, and wherein deflecting the tube includes inserting the stylet into the interior lumen to bend the tube. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the volume of the void comprises about 30% to 90% of the cancellous bone volume. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the volume of the void comprises about 40% to 90% of the cancellous bone volume. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable structure comprises a body that expands by inflation. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable structure comprises a balloon that expands by inflation. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the filling material placed within the void hardens within the void. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1  further including removing the void creation device from the void before placing the filling material within the void.